“It is extremely disturbing to read reports that a man with a history of sexual offending has received a suspended prison sentence, in spite of a psychologist’s report confirming that there is a substantial risk that the man will reoffend,” Ms Goodwin said.

Anthony John Minney, 34, received the suspended two-month sentence in the Launceston Magistrates Court on Wednesday after pleading guilty to loitering near children.

Ms Goodwin said he could not be required to participate in a sex offender treatment program because there were none for community-based offenders.

She said all offenders should undergo treatment whether they were in jail or not.

Last night Corrections Minister Nick McKim said plans were under way to implement a community-based sex offender treatment program. Mr McKim said a project manager had been appointed to develop and put in place a range of programs for offenders in the community.

Minney has a record of prior convictions going back to 1991 and the Crown once applied for him to be classified as a dangerous criminal, allowing indefinite imprisonment.

He pleaded guilty in the Launceston Magistrates Court this week to loitering near children in 2008, six years after receiving a total sentence of three years and four months for two counts of indecent assault.

In 2001 Minney indecently assaulted a 10-year-old girl at a church meeting at George Town.

After being released on bail by police he walked all night to Launceston and approached a nine-year-old girl who had been dropped off at the Glen Dhu Primary school.

He walked her to the school oval where he molested her.

In 2001 the court heard that Minney was receiving no medication or treatment.

Sexual Assault Support Service manager Liz Little said yesterday that offenders should be subject to intensive case management.

Sex offender sought Viagra, prostitute in jail, court hears

July 2, 2003, 2 p.m.

Anthony John Minney, 27, had been found guilty in the Launceston Magistrates Court on May 13 of two indecent assault charges.

Minney’s case was moved to the Supreme Court for sentence after Crown prosecutor John Ransom successfully applied to chief magistrate Arnold Shott for a switch to allow a further application that Minney be declared a dangerous criminal.

The application could only have been made in the Supreme Court.

Minney lost an appeal against the Supreme Court sentencing bid last week.

Yesterday, prosecution and defence counsel made lengthy closing submissions in the case.

Crown prosecutor John Ransom said that, while Minney was not mentally ill, “a number of behavioural issues have to be dealt with in a custodial environment”.

“He will not admit to doing anything wrong, it is difficult to consider rehabilitation of the offender when he won’t admit that he has done anything wrong,” Mr Ransom said.

“He needs to learn new social skills; in prison he said he wants a prostitute and Viagra.”

Minney’s defence counsel Simon Brown said that it could not be demonstrated that the level of violence “is significant or serious”.

“Section 19 of the Sentencing Act is about protecting the public from physical harm; to declare anyone a dangerous criminal is a last gasp,” Mr Brown said.

Mr Brown conceded that, in a medical report, Minney presented “as someone of borderline intellect and having a personality disorder”.